Exhibit 10.4

                              EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT


                  THIS AGREEMENT (the "Agreement") made effective as of the 16th
day of  December,  1997 (the  "Effective  Date") by and between  ERIE  INDEMNITY
COMPANY,  a  Pennsylvania  corporation  with its principal  place of business at
Erie, Pennsylvania (the "Company"), and JAN R. VAN GORDER (the "Executive");

                                   WITNESSETH:

                  WHEREAS,  the  Company has  determined  that it is in the best
interests of the Company and its shareholders to secure the continued employment
of the  Executive on the terms and subject to the  conditions  set forth in this
Agreement; and

                  WHEREAS,  the  Executive  desires  and is  willing  to  accept
employment with the Company on the terms and subject to the conditions set forth
herein;

                  NOW  THEREFORE,  in  consideration  of the premises and mutual
covenants  contained  herein,  and  intending to be legally  bound  hereby,  the
parties hereto agree as follows:

                  1. Term.  The Company hereby agrees to continue the employment
of the  Executive  and the  Executive  hereby  agrees to  continue  to serve the
Company  pursuant  to the  terms  and  conditions  of this  Agreement  as Senior
Executive  Vice  President of the Company,  or in such other  position  with the
Company of at least  commensurate  responsibility  and authority in all material
respects,  for a term of two years  commencing on the Effective  Date hereof and
expiring on December 15, 1999, unless earlier  terminated  pursuant to Section 5
hereof.  Notwithstanding  the  foregoing,  the  Executive  shall  serve  in said
office(s) at the  pleasure of the  Company's  Board of Directors  (the "Board of
Directors")  and the  Executive  may be removed from said  office(s) at any time
with or without Cause, as hereinafter defined, pursuant to Sections 5(b) or 5(d)
hereof;  provided  that  any such  removal  shall be  without  prejudice  to any
contract rights the Executive may have hereunder. Subject to Section 8(a)(6) and
Section 8(b) hereof,  this  Agreement  shall expire by its terms on December 15,
1999.

                  2.  Duties  and   Responsibilities.   The  Executive's  duties
hereunder shall be those which shall be prescribed by the Company's  Bylaws,  as
amended  from  time to time,  and by the  Board of  Directors  or any  committee
thereof from time to time and shall include such  executive  authority,  duties,
powers and responsibilities as customarily attend the office as Senior Executive
Vice  President of a company  comparable  to the Company.  The  Executive  shall
discharge such duties consistent with sound business practices and in accordance
with law and the  Company's  general  employment  policies,  in each case, as in
effect from time to time, in all material  respects and the Executive  shall use
best efforts to promote the best  interests  of the Company.  During the term of
this Agreement,  the Executive's  position (including the Executive's status and
reporting requirements), authority, duties, powers and responsibilities shall at
all  times be at  least  commensurate  in all  material  respects  with the most
significant of those held, exercised or assigned

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to the  Executive  as of the  Effective  Date.  The  Executive  shall devote the
Executive's  knowledge,  skill  and all of the  Executive's  professional  time,
attention and energies (reasonable absences for vacations and illness excepted),
to the  business  of the  Company  in  order to  perform  such  assigned  duties
faithfully,  competently and diligently. It is understood and agreed between the
parties  that  the  Executive  may  (i)  engage  in  charitable   and  community
activities,  including serving on boards of directors or trustees of and holding
other leadership positions in non-profit organizations unless the objectives and
requirements  of such  positions are  determined by the Board of Directors to be
inconsistent with the performance of the Executive's duties hereunder, and, (ii)
manage  personal  investments,  so long as such  activities  do not interfere or
conflict with the Executive's  performance of  responsibilities  and obligations
hereunder.  It is expressly  agreed that any such  activities  engaged in by the
Executive as of the Effective  Date shall not  thereafter be deemed to interfere
with the Executive's obligations and responsibilities  hereunder.  The Executive
agrees that the approval of the Board of Directors or a committee  thereof shall
be required  before the  Executive  first  accepts a position as director of any
for-profit corporation after the date hereof.

                  3.       Compensation.  During the term of this Agreement
the Executive shall receive,  for all services   rendered  to  the  Company
hereunder,   the  following   (hereinafter   referred  to  collectively  as
"Compensation"):

                           (a)  Salary.  The  Executive  shall be paid an annual
                  base  salary at an annual  rate at least  equal to the  annual
                  rate being paid or payable to the  Executive by the Company in
                  the  month in which  the  Effective  Date  occurs,  with  such
                  increases  thereafter as shall be determined from time to time
                  to be fair and  reasonable by the Board of Directors or by the
                  Executive  Compensation  Committee  of the Board of  Directors
                  (the "Committee") in its discretion after taking into account,
                  among  other  things,  the  authority,   duties,   powers  and
                  responsibilities of the Executive's position,  the Executive's
                  performance,  the Company's  performance,  the compensation of
                  persons in  comparable  positions  at the Company and at other
                  comparable  companies,   and  the  effect  of  inflation.  The
                  Executive's  annual base salary shall not be reduced after any
                  such  increase.  The  Executive's  annual base salary shall be
                  payable in equal installments in accordance with the Company's
                  general salary payment  policies,  but no less frequently than
                  bi-weekly.

                           (b) Incentive  Compensation.  The Executive  shall be
                  eligible for awards under the Company's incentive compensation
                  plans, if any,  applicable to senior executive officers of the
                  Company   or  to  key   employees   of  the   Company  or  its
                  subsidiaries,   including,  but  not  limited  to,  management
                  incentive plans and stock option plans, in accordance with and
                  subject  to  the  terms  thereof   (including  any  provisions
                  providing  for  changes  in the  level  of or  termination  of
                  benefits  thereunder),   on  a  basis  commensurate  with  the
                  Executive's  position  and  authorities,  duties,  powers  and
                  responsibilities.

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                           (c) Employee  Benefit  Plans.  The  Executive and the
                  Executive's  "dependents,"  as that term may be defined  under
                  the applicable employee benefit plan(s) of the Company,  shall
                  be included,  to the extent eligible thereunder and subject to
                  the terms of the plans  (including any provisions for changing
                  the level of or  termination of benefits  thereunder),  in all
                  plans,  programs  and  policies  which  provide  benefits  for
                  Company employees and their dependents on a basis commensurate
                  with the Executive's position and authorities,  duties, powers
                  and  responsibilities  including,  without limitation,  health
                  care  insurance,   health  and  welfare  plans,   pension  and
                  retirement  plans,  group life insurance  plans,  split dollar
                  life insurance plans,  short and long-term  disability  plans,
                  survivors' benefits, executive supplemental benefits, holidays
                  and other similar or comparable benefits made available to the
                  Company's    employees   and   senior    executive    officers
                  (hereinafter,  such  plans,  programs  and  policies  shall be
                  collectively  referred to as the "Erie Benefit  Plans").  Such
                  plans,  programs  and  policies  shall  include,  but  are not
                  limited  to,  the Erie  Insurance  Group  Retirement  Plan for
                  Employees, the Erie Insurance Group Employee Savings Plan, the
                  Erie  Insurance  Group  Deferred  Compensation  Plan, the Erie
                  Insurance  Group Split Dollar Life  Insurance  Plan,  the Erie
                  Insurance Group  Supplemental  Executive  Retirement Plan, and
                  the Erie Insurance Group Health Protection, Prescription Drug,
                  Dental Assistance and Vision Care Plans.

                           (d)  Perquisites.  The Executive shall be entitled to
                  all  perquisites  which the  Company  from time to time  makes
                  available to senior  executive  officers of the Company.  Such
                  perquisites  shall include,  but are not limited to,  parking,
                  club dues, tax preparation assistance,  and an annual physical
                  examination.

                           (e) Expenses and Working Facilities. The Executive is
                  hereby  authorized  to incur,  and shall be  reimbursed by the
                  Company for, any and all  reasonable  and  necessary  business
                  related expenses,  including, but not limited to, expenses for
                  business  travel,  entertainment,  gifts and similar  matters,
                  which  expenses are incurred by the Executive on behalf of the
                  Company  or any  of its  subsidiaries,  upon  presentation  of
                  itemized  accounts of such expenses in accordance with Company
                  policies.  The Executive shall be furnished during the term of
                  this  Agreement  with offices and other working  facilities in
                  the Company's  principal  executive  offices  located in Erie,
                  Pennsylvania  (or other  location of the  principal  executive
                  offices within the Erie metropolitan area) and secretarial and
                  other  assistance  suitable to the  Executive's  position  and
                  adequate for the performance of duties hereunder.

                           (f)    Performance    Appraisal.    The   Executive's
                  performance  may be evaluated by the Board of Directors or the
                  Committee from time to time.  The Executive  shall be entitled
                  to such additional remuneration,  including but not limited to
                  annual bonuses based on performance, as the Board of Directors
                  or the Committee may, in its  discretion,  determine from time
                  to time.

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                  4. Absences.  The Executive  shall be entitled to vacations in
accordance  with the Company's  vacation policy in effect from time to time (but
in no event shall the  Executive be entitled to fewer  vacation  days than under
the  Company's  vacation  policy  as in  effect  on the  Effective  Date) and to
absences because of illness or other  incapacity,  and shall also be entitled to
such other absences, whether for holiday, personal time, conventions, or for any
other purpose,  as are granted to the Company's other senior executive  officers
or as are approved by the Board of Directors or the  Committee,  which  approval
shall not be unreasonably withheld.

                  5. Termination.  The Executive's  employment  hereunder may be
terminated only as follows:

                           (a) Expiration of Term of Office. Upon the expiration
                  of the term of the  office(s) to which the  Executive has been
                  elected or  appointed  as set forth in  Section 1 hereof,  the
                  Board of Directors may (i) determine that the Executive should
                  not  continue  in such  office(s)  or (ii) that the  Executive
                  should not be elected or  appointed  to an office with duties,
                  authorities,  powers  and  responsibilities  that are at least
                  commensurate with those of said office(s), in either case, for
                  reasons  other  than  for  Cause  (if  the  reasons  for  such
                  noncontinuance,  nonreelection or nonreappointment  constitute
                  Cause, then Section 5(d) hereof will apply).

                           (b) By the Company Without Cause.  The Company may at
                  any  time  terminate  the  Executive's   employment  hereunder
                  without  Cause only by the  affirmative  vote of a majority of
                  the entire  Board of  Directors,  and upon no less than thirty
                  (30) days' prior written notice to the Executive.

                           (c)  By  the  Executive  Without  Good  Reason.   The
                  Executive may at any time terminate  employment  hereunder for
                  any reason upon no less than thirty (30) days' written  notice
                  to the Company. Section 5(e) shall apply to any termination of
                  employment by the Executive for Good Reason.

                           (d)  By  the  Company  For  Cause.  The  Company  may
                  terminate the Executive's  employment  hereunder for Cause. In
                  such event,  the Company  shall give to the  Executive  prompt
                  written  notice  (in  addition  to  any  notice  which  may be
                  required by Section 5(d)(1)  hereof)  specifying in reasonable
                  detail the basis for such  termination.  For  purposes of this
                  Agreement,  "Cause" shall mean any of the following conduct by
                  the Executive:

                                    (1)     The   deliberate   and   intentional
                                            breach of any material  provision of
                                            this    Agreement,    which   breach
                                            Executive  shall have failed to cure
                                            within   thirty   (30)  days   after
                                            Executive's   receipt   of   written
                                            notice from the  Company  specifying
                                            the    specific    nature   of   the
                                            Executive's breach;

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                                    (2)     The   deliberate   and   intentional
                                            engaging  by   Executive   in  gross
                                            misconduct  that is  materially  and
                                            demonstrably  inimical  to the  best
                                            interests, monetary or otherwise, of
                                            the Company; or

                                    (3)     Conviction of a felony or conviction
                                            of   any   crime   involving   moral
                                            turpitude, fraud or deceit.

For purposes of this  definition,  no act, or failure to act, on the Executive's
part shall be considered "deliberate and intentional" unless done, or omitted to
be done, by the Executive not in good faith and without  reasonable  belief that
such action or omission was in the best interest of the Company.

                           (e) By the Executive  for Good Reason.  The Executive
                  may  terminate  employment  hereunder  for  Good  Reason  upon
                  providing thirty (30) days written notice to the Company after
                  the Executive  reasonably  becomes aware of the  circumstances
                  giving  rise  to  such  Good  Reason.  For  purposes  of  this
                  Agreement,  "Good Reason"  means the following  conduct of the
                  Company,  unless the Executive shall have consented thereto in
                  writing:

                                    (1)     Material   breach  of  any  material
                                            provision  of this  Agreement by the
                                            Company, which breach shall not have
                                            been  cured  by the  Company  within
                                            thirty  (30)  days  after  Company's
                                            receipt  from the  Executive  or the
                                            Executive's  agent of written notice
                                            specifying in reasonable  detail the
                                            nature of the Company's breach;

                                    (2)     The  assignment  to the Executive of
                                            any  duties   inconsistent   in  any
                                            material     respect     with    the
                                            Executive's  position (including any
                                            reduction of the Executive's  status
                                            and     reporting     requirements),
                                            authority,    duties,    powers   or
                                            responsibilities with the Company as
                                            contemplated  by  Section  2 of this
                                            Agreement,  or any  other  action by
                                            the Company,  including  the removal
                                            of the Executive from or any failure
                                            to   reelect   or   reappoint    the
                                            Executive to the office(s) specified
                                            in  Section  2  or  a   commensurate
                                            office(s)  (other  than for  Cause),
                                            which results in a diminution of the
                                            Executive's    authority,    duties,
                                            position,     responsibilities    or
                                            status,  excluding  for this purpose
                                            any  isolated,   insubstantial   and
                                            inadvertent  action  respecting  the
                                            Executive not taken in bad faith and
                                            which  is  remedied  by the  Company
                                            within   thirty   (30)  days   after
                                            receipt of written  notice  from the
                                            Executive to the Company;



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                                    (3)     The  Company's   relocation  of  the
                                            Executive   out  of  the   Company's
                                            principal  executive  offices or the
                                            relocation    of    the    Company's
                                            principal  executive  offices  to  a
                                            location     outside    the    Erie,
                                            Pennsylvania    metropolitan   area,
                                            except   for   required   short-term
                                            travel  on the  Company's  behalf to
                                            the   extent   necessary   for   the
                                            Executive  to carry  out his  normal
                                            duties  in the  ordinary  course  of
                                            business;

                                    (4)     The failure of the Company to obtain
                                            the  assumption  in  writing  of its
                                            obligations    to    perform    this
                                            Agreement   by  any   successor   as
                                            provided  in  Section  14 hereof not
                                            less  than  five  days  prior  to  a
                                            merger,  consolidation  or  sale  as
                                            contemplated in Section 14; or

                                    (5)     A reduction in the overall  level of
                                            compensation  of the Executive.  For
                                            purposes of this  subsection  5, the
                                            following  shall  not  constitute  a
                                            reduction  in the  overall  level of
                                            compensation  of the Executive:  (i)
                                            changes  in  the  cash/stock  mix of
                                            compensation    payable    to    the
                                            Executive;  (ii) a reduction  in the
                                            overall level of compensation of the
                                            Executive resulting from the failure
                                            to achieve corporate,  business unit
                                            and/or individual  performance goals
                                            established    for    purposes    of
                                            incentive  compensation for any year
                                            or other  period;  provided that the
                                            aggregate    short-term    incentive
                                            opportunity,  when combined with the
                                            Executive's  base salary,  provides,
                                            in the aggregate, an opportunity for
                                            the  Executive  to  realize at least
                                            the    same    overall    level   of
                                            compensation  as  was  paid  in  the
                                            immediately  prior year or period at
                                            target   performance   levels;   and
                                            provided,  further, that such target
                                            performance levels are reasonable at
                                            all  times  during  the  measurement
                                            period, taking into account the fact
                                            that  one of the  purposes  of  such
                                            compensation   is  to   incent   the
                                            Executive;   (iii)   reductions   in
                                            compensation  resulting from changes
                                            to any Erie Benefit  Plan  (provided
                                            that  such  changes  are   generally
                                            applicable  to all  participants  in
                                            such Erie  Benefit  Plan);  and (iv)
                                            any combination of the foregoing.

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                           (f) Disability. In the event that the Executive shall
                  be unable to perform the  Executive's  duties  hereunder  on a
                  full  time  basis  for a period  of one  hundred-eighty  (180)
                  consecutive  calendar  days by  reason  of  incapacity  due to
                  illness, accident or other physical or mental disability, then
                  the Company may, at its discretion,  terminate the Executive's
                  employment  hereunder if the  Executive,  within ten (10) days
                  after receipt of written notice of  termination  (which notice
                  may be given  before  or after the end of the  entire  180 day
                  period),  shall not have returned to the performance of all of
                  his duties hereunder on a full-time basis.

                           (g)  Death.  The  Executive's  employment  under this
                  Agreement shall terminate upon the Executive's death.

                           (h)      Mutual  Written  Agreement.  This  Agreement
                  and  the  Executive's  employment hereunder may be  terminated
                  at any time by the mutual  written  agreement of the Executive
                  and the Company.

         6.  Compensation  in the Event of  Termination.  In the event  that the
Executive's  employment  hereunder  terminates  prior to the  expiration of this
Agreement for any reason provided in Section 5 hereof, the Company shall pay the
Executive,  compensation and provide the Executive and the Executive's  eligible
dependents with benefits as follows:

                           (a) Executive's Nonreelection to Office;  Termination
                  By Company  Without  Cause;  Termination By Executive for Good
                  Reason. In the event that the Executive's employment hereunder
                  is terminated:  (i) because the Executive does not continue in
                  office pursuant to Section 5(a) hereof; or (ii) by the Company
                  without Cause pursuant to Section 5(b) hereof; or (iii) by the
                  Executive  for Good Reason  pursuant to Section  5(e)  hereof,
                  then in any such event the Company  shall pay or  provide,  as
                  applicable,  the  following  compensation  and benefits to the
                  Executive:

                                    (1)     Three (3) times the  following:  (A)
                                            the highest  annual base salary paid
                                            or payable to the  Executive  in the
                                            then  current year or any one (1) of
                                            the   three   (3)   calendar   years
                                            preceding Executive's termination of
                                            employment  hereunder;  plus  (B) an
                                            amount  equal  to  the  sum  of  the
                                            Executive's  highest  award(s) under
                                            the Company's Annual Incentive Plans
                                            for  any one  (1) of the  three  (3)
                                            calendar years preceding the date of
                                            the   termination   of   Executive's
                                            employment  hereunder (such total is
                                            referred   to  herein  as   "Covered
                                            Compensation").  Such payment to the
                                            Executive  by the  Company  shall be
                                            paid  in  a  lump  sum   unless  the
                                            Executive  elects,  and so  notifies
                                            the Company in writing  prior to the
                                            termination   of   the   Executive's
                                            employment  hereunder,   to  receive
                                            such  payment  in  three  (3)  equal
                                            annual installments. The lump sum or
                                            first  payment,  as the case may be,
                                            shall be paid within sixty (60) days
                                            after the date of the termination of
                                            the      Executive's      employment
                                            hereunder;

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                                    (2)     Any awards or other  compensation to
                                            which  the   Executive  is  entitled
                                            under    any   of   the    Company's
                                            compensation  plans or Erie  Benefit
                                            Plans to the extent  not  covered in
                                            subsection (1) hereof;

                                    (3)     Any  award  to which  the  Executive
                                            would   be   entitled    under   the
                                            Company's  Long-Term  Incentive Plan
                                            as in effect on December  16,  1997,
                                            calculated  under the  provision  of
                                            that Plan as if the Executive ceases
                                            to be an  Employee of the Company by
                                            reason  of  death,   disability   or
                                            normal retirement;

                                    (4)     Continuing coverage for all purposes
                                            (including  eligibility,   coverage,
                                            vesting  and  benefit  accruals,  as
                                            applicable),  for a period  of three
                                            (3)  years  after  the  date  of the
                                            termination      of      Executive's
                                            employment hereunder,  to the extent
                                            not   prohibited  by  law,  for  the
                                            Executive   and   the    Executive's
                                            eligible dependents under all of the
                                            Erie  Benefit  Plans in  effect  and
                                            applicable   to  Executive  and  the
                                            Executive's  eligible  dependents as
                                            of the date of  termination.  In the
                                            event that the Executive  and/or the
                                            Executive's   eligible   dependents,
                                            because    of    the     Executive's
                                            terminated status, cannot be covered
                                            or fully covered under any or all of
                                            the Erie Benefit Plans,  the Company
                                            shall   continue   to  provide   the
                                            Executive   and/or  the  Executive's
                                            eligible  dependents  with  the same
                                            level  of such  coverage  in  effect
                                            prior to  termination,  payable from
                                            the general assets of the Company if
                                            necessary.    Notwithstanding    the
                                            foregoing,  the  Executive may elect
                                            (by  giving  written  notice  to the
                                            Company prior to the  termination of
                                            employment hereunder),  on a benefit
                                            by benefit basis, to receive in lieu
                                            of continuing  coverage,  cash in an
                                            amount  equal to the  present  value
                                            (using  a 6.5%  discount  rate  over
                                            three years) of the  projected  cost
                                            to the  Company  of  providing  such
                                            benefit for such three year  period.
                                            The  aggregate  amount  of  cash  to
                                            which  the   Executive  is  entitled
                                            pursuant to the  preceding  sentence
                                            shall be payable  by the  Company to
                                            the Executive within sixty (60) days
                                            after the date of the termination of
                                            Executive's   employment  hereunder;
                                            and

                                    (5)     For a  period  of  three  (3)  years
                                            after the date of the termination of
                                            Executive's   employment  hereunder,
                                            such   perquisites   as   are   made
                                            available to the Executive as of the
                                            date   of   the    termination    of
                                            Executive's employment hereunder.

The  Executive's  subsequent  death,  disability  or attainment of age 65 or any
other age shall in no way affect or limit the Company's  obligations  under this
Section 6(a).
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                           (b)  Termination  By the  Company  for Cause.  In the
                  event  that  the  Company  shall   terminate  the  Executive's
                  employment  hereunder for Cause pursuant to Section 5(d), this
                  Agreement shall forthwith terminate and the obligations of the
                  parties hereto shall be as set forth in Section 8 hereof.

                           (c) Termination by the Executive Without Good Reason.
                  In the event that the  Executive  shall  terminate  employment
                  hereunder other than for Good Reason pursuant to Section 5(c),
                  this Agreement shall  forthwith  terminate and the obligations
                  of the  parties  hereto  shall be as set  forth in  Section  8
                  hereof.

                           (d) Disability.  In the event that the Company elects
                  to terminate the Executive's  employment hereunder pursuant to
                  Section 5(f), the Executive shall continue to receive from the
                  date of such  termination  through the expiration date of this
                  Agreement, sixty percent (60%) of the then current annual base
                  salary to which the Executive was entitled pursuant to Section
                  3(a)  hereof  immediately   preceding  such  termination,   in
                  accordance  with the  payroll  practices  of the  Company  for
                  senior executive officers,  reduced, however, by the amount of
                  any proceeds  from Social  Security and  disability  insurance
                  policies provided by and at the expense of the Company.

                           (e) Death. In the event of the death of the Executive
                  during the term of this  Agreement,  the then  current  annual
                  base salary to which the  Executive  was entitled  pursuant to
                  Section  3(a) hereof  immediately  preceding  the  Executive's
                  death shall be paid, in twelve (12) equal monthly installments
                  following  the  date  of  death,   to  the  last   beneficiary
                  designated  by the Executive  under the  Company's  group life
                  insurance  policy  maintained  by the  Company  or such  other
                  written designation  expressly provided to the Company for the
                  purposes  hereof or, failing either such  designation,  to the
                  Executive's estate.

                           (f)  Mutual  Written  Consent.  In the event that the
                  Executive  and the Company  shall  terminate  the  Executive's
                  employment by mutual written agreement,  the Company shall pay
                  such  compensation  and provide such benefits,  if any, as the
                  parties may mutually agree upon in writing.

The  Executive  shall not be  required  to  mitigate  the amount of any  payment
provided for in this Section 6 by seeking employment or otherwise, nor shall any
amounts  received from  employment  or otherwise by the Executive  offset in any
manner the obligations of the Company hereunder except as specifically  provided
in Section 6(d) hereof.

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                  7. Certain Additional Payments by the Company. Notwithstanding
anything in this Agreement to the contrary,  in the event it is determined  that
any  payment  or  distribution  by the  Company  to or for  the  benefit  of the
Executive,  whether paid or payable or distributed or distributable  pursuant to
the terms of this Agreement or otherwise (a "Payment"), is subject to the excise
tax imposed by Section  4999 of the Internal  Revenue  Code of 1986,  as amended
(the "Code"), or any successor provision,  on excess parachute payments, as that
term is used  and  defined  in  Sections  4999 and  280G of the  Code,  then the
Executive  shall be  entitled  to receive  an  additional  payment (a  "Gross-Up
Payment")  in an amount equal to the then current rate of tax under said Section
4999  multiplied  by the total of the amounts so paid or payable,  including the
Gross-Up Payment, which are deemed to be a part of an excess parachute payment.

                  8.  Effect  of  Expiration  of  Agreement  or  Termination  of
Executive's  Employment.  Upon the  expiration of this Agreement by its terms or
the termination of the Executive's employment hereunder, neither the Company nor
the Executive shall have any remaining  duties or obligations  hereunder  except
that:

                           (a)      The Company shall:

                                    (1)     Pay the  Executive's  accrued salary
                                            and any other accrued benefits under
                                            Sections 3(a), (b), and (c) hereof;

                                    (2)     Reimburse the Executive for expenses
                                            already  incurred in accordance with
                                            Section 3(e) hereof;

                                    (3)     Pay or  otherwise  provide  for  any
                                            benefits,  payments or  continuation
                                            or  conversion  rights in accordance
                                            with  the  provisions  of  any  Erie
                                            Benefit Plan of which the  Executive
                                            or any of the Executive's dependents
                                            is  or  was  a  participant   or  as
                                            otherwise required by law;

                                    (4)     Pay    the    Executive    and   the
                                            Executive's     beneficiaries    any
                                            compensation   and/or   provide  the
                                            Executive    or   the    Executive's
                                            eligible dependents any benefits, as
                                            the case  may be,  due  pursuant  to
                                            Section 6 or Section 7 hereof; and

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                                    (5)     Unless   the   employment   of   the
                                            Executive  is   terminated   by  the
                                            Company for Cause, pay the Executive
                                            or the Executive's beneficiaries the
                                            full amount or amounts accrued under
                                            the      Supplemental      Executive
                                            Retirement  Plan of the Company (the
                                            "SERP")   as  in   effect   on   the
                                            Effective  Date (or as such benefits
                                            may  be   enhanced   by   subsequent
                                            amendments  or  supplements  to such
                                            SERP),   as   though,   solely   for
                                            purposes    of    determining    any
                                            otherwise    applicable    actuarial
                                            reduction factors,  the event of the
                                            termination      of      Executive's
                                            employment  hereunder or  expiration
                                            of this  Agreement  occurred  on the
                                            Executive's  Normal  Retirement Date
                                            as  defined  in such  SERP.  Accrued
                                            benefits  under  the  SERP  shall be
                                            fully vested and nonforfeitable upon
                                            such     termination      (including
                                            termination   on   account   of  the
                                            Executive's  death)  or  expiration.
                                            Any reductions in SERP benefits that
                                            would  otherwise  apply  pursuant to
                                            Section   10.1   of  the   Company's
                                            Retirement  Plan for  Employees  (or
                                            pursuant to any successor  provision
                                            of such plan or any successor  plan)
                                            relating  to  Section  415(b) of the
                                            Code  shall  not be  applicable  for
                                            purposes hereof. No further approval
                                            by the  Board  of  Directors  or the
                                            Committee  with  respect to payments
                                            under  the SERP in  accordance  with
                                            the  preceding  sentences  shall  be
                                            required.   Unreduced  payments  may
                                            begin  at age  55,  but in no  event
                                            would  payments  be made  under this
                                            Section 8(a)(5) before the Executive
                                            reaches  age  fifty-five  (55).  The
                                            Company   shall   purchase  for  the
                                            Executive,   naming  the   Executive
                                            and/or the Executive's  designee the
                                            owner,  a paid up  annuity,  from an
                                            insurer reasonably acceptable to the
                                            Executive but in any event having an
                                            A.M. Best rating of A+ or better (or
                                            other comparable rating),  that will
                                            pay to the Executive an amount equal
                                            to  the   benefit   to   which   the
                                            Executive    would    otherwise   be
                                            entitled  under the SERP and payable
                                            at the times such SERP benefit would
                                            be  payable in  accordance  with the
                                            provisions hereof. Upon the purchase
                                            and  delivery  to the  Executive  of
                                            such an annuity, the Executive shall
                                            release the Company from any further
                                            obligation   under  the  SERP.   The
                                            Company  further  agrees  to pay the
                                            Executive      immediately      upon
                                            termination,  a  cash  payment  (the
                                            "Tax Gross-up")  equal to the sum of
                                            the   following:   (i)   all   taxes
                                            (federal,  state, local, and payroll
                                            taxes) incurred and due and owing by
                                            the Executive, arising from the cost
                                            of  the  annuity  purchased  by  the
                                            Company to meet the  requirements of
                                            this Section  8(a)(5),  and (ii) any
                                            such  taxes  incurred  and  due  and
                                            owing  with  respect  to the  amount
                                            paid in (i).


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<PAGE>


                                    (6)     Continue to remain bound by the
                                            terms of Section 12 hereof.

                           (b) The Executive  shall remain bound by the terms of
                  Sections  9 and 13  hereof  for a period  of  thirty  six (36)
                  months  after the  expiration  of the  Agreement by its terms;
                  provided,  that the Executive  shall not be bound by the terms
                  of Section 9(b) after the  termination  of  employment  (other
                  than a termination  of the Executive by the Company for Cause)
                  if  such  termination  occurs  after  the  expiration  of this
                  Agreement by its terms.

                  9. Covenants as to  Confidential  Information  and Competitive
Conduct.  The  Executive  hereby  acknowledges  and agrees as follows:  (i) this
Section 9 is necessary for the protection of the legitimate  business  interests
of the Company, (ii) the restrictions contained in this Section 9 with regard to
geographical  scope,  length  of term and  types of  restricted  activities  are
reasonable;   (iii)  the  Executive  has  received  adequate  and  valuable  new
consideration  for  entering  into  this  Agreement,  and (iv)  the  Executive's
expertise  and  capabilities  are such that this  obligation  hereunder  and the
enforcement  hereof by  injunction or otherwise  will not  adversely  affect the
Executive's ability to earn a livelihood.

                           (a) Confidentiality of Information and Nondisclosure.
                  The  Executive  acknowledges  and agrees that the  Executive's
                  employment  by the Company  under this  Agreement  necessarily
                  involves   knowledge  of  and  access  to   confidential   and
                  proprietary  information  pertaining  to the  business  of the
                  Company  and  its  subsidiaries.  Accordingly,  the  Executive
                  agrees that at all times during the term of this Agreement and
                  at any time  thereafter,  the Executive will not,  directly or
                  indirectly,  without  the  express  written  approval  of  the
                  Company,   unless  directed  by  applicable   legal  authority
                  (including any court of competent  jurisdiction,  governmental
                  agency having  supervisory  authority over the business of the
                  Company   or  the   subsidiaries,   or  any   legislative   or
                  administrative  body  having  supervisory  authority  over the
                  business   of  the   Company  or  its   subsidiaries)   having
                  jurisdiction  over  the  Executive,  disclose  to or  use,  or
                  knowingly  permit to be so disclosed or used,  for the benefit
                  of himself, any person, corporation or other entity other than
                  the Company,  (i) any  information  concerning  any  financial
                  matters, customer relationships,  competitive status, supplier
                  matters,  internal organizational  matters,  current or future
                  plans, or other business affairs of or relating to the Company
                  or its subsidiaries, (ii) any management,  operational, trade,
                  technical   or  other   secrets   or  any  other   proprietary
                  information or other data of the Company or its  subsidiaries,
                  or (iii) any other  information  related to the Company or its
                  subsidiaries or which the Executive should reasonably  believe
                  will be damaging to the Company or its subsidiaries  which has
                  not been  published and is not generally  known outside of the
                  Company. The Executive  acknowledges that all of the foregoing
                  constitutes confidential and proprietary information, which is
                  the exclusive property of the Company.


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<PAGE>


                           (b) Restrictive Covenant. During the term of, and for
                  a period of one (1) year (the "Restrictive  Period") after the
                  termination of the  Executive's  employment  hereunder for any
                  reason  (other than a termination  of the Executive  hereunder
                  pursuant to Section 5(a), 5(b) or 5(e), hereof), the Executive
                  shall not render,  directly,  or  indirectly,  services to any
                  person, firm,  corporation,  association or other entity which
                  conducts  the same or similar  business  as the Company or its
                  subsidiaries  at the date of the  Executive's  termination  of
                  employment hereunder within the states in which the Company or
                  any of its subsidiaries is then licensed and doing business at
                  the  date  of  the   Executive's   termination  of  employment
                  hereunder  without the prior  written  consent of the Board of
                  Directors,  which may be  withheld in its  discretion.  In the
                  event the Executive  violates any of the provisions  contained
                  in this Section 9(b) hereof,  the Restrictive  Period shall be
                  increased by the period of time from the  commencement  by the
                  Executive of any violation until such violation has been cured
                  to the  satisfaction  of the Company.  The  Executive  further
                  agrees that at no time during the Restrictive  Period will the
                  Executive  attempt to directly or  indirectly  solicit or hire
                  employees of Company or its subsidiaries or induce any of them
                  to terminate  their  employment with the Company or any of the
                  subsidiaries.  Notwithstanding the foregoing,  the performance
                  by  the  Executive  of  rights  and  duties  under  an  agency
                  agreement  with the Company  shall not  constitute a breach of
                  this Section 9(b).

                           (c) Company Remedies.  The Executive acknowledges and
                  agrees  that any  breach  of this  Section  9 will  result  in
                  immediate and  irreparable  harm to the Company,  and that the
                  Company  cannot be  reasonably or  adequately  compensated  by
                  damages  in an action at law.  In the event of a breach by the
                  Executive  of the  provisions  of this  Section 9, the Company
                  shall be entitled, to the extent permitted by law, immediately
                  to cease to pay or provide the  Executive  or the  Executive's
                  dependents any  compensation  or benefit being, or to be, paid
                  or provided to the Executive  pursuant to Section 3, Section 6
                  or Section 8 of this Agreement,  and also to obtain  immediate
                  injunctive  relief  restraining  the Executive from conduct in
                  breach of the  covenants  contained in this Section 9. Nothing
                  herein  shall be  construed  as  prohibiting  the Company from
                  pursuing any other  remedies  available to it for such breach,
                  including the recovery of damages from the Executive.

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<PAGE>


                  10.  Resolution  of  Differences  Over  Breaches of Agreement.
Except as otherwise provided herein, in the event of any controversy, dispute or
claim arising out of, or relating to, this Agreement,  or the breach thereof, or
arising out of any other matter relating to the Executive's  employment with the
Company,  the  parties  may seek  recourse  only for  temporary  or  preliminary
injunctive  relief to the courts having  jurisdiction  thereof and if any relief
other than injunctive relief is sought, the Company and the Executive agree that
such  underlying  controversy,  dispute or claim shall be settled by arbitration
conducted  in Erie,  Pennsylvania  in  accordance  with this  Section 10 and the
Commercial  Arbitration Rules of the American  Arbitration  Association ("AAA").
The matter shall be heard and decided,  and awards  rendered by a panel of three
(3) arbitrators (the "Arbitration  Panel").  The Company and the Executive shall
each select one arbitrator from the AAA National Panel of Commercial Arbitrators
(the  "Commercial  Panel")  and AAA  shall  select a third  arbitrator  from the
Commercial Panel. The award rendered by the Arbitration Panel shall be final and
binding  as  between   the   parties   hereto   and  their   heirs,   executors,
administrators, successors and assigns, and judgment on the award may be entered
by any court  having  jurisdiction  thereof.  Except as  provided  in Section 11
hereof,  each party shall bear sole  responsibility  for all  expenses and costs
incurred by such party in connection  with the  resolution  of any  controversy,
dispute or claim in accordance with this Section 10.

                  11.  Payment of  Executive's  Legal Fees.  If the Executive is
required  to bring any action to enforce  rights or to collect  moneys due under
this  Agreement,  the Company  shall pay to the  Executive the fees and expenses
incurred by the  Executive in bringing and pursuing such action if the Executive
is successful, in whole or in part, on the merits or otherwise (including by way
of a settlement  involving a payment of money by the Company to the  Executive),
in such action.  The Company  shall pay such fees and expenses in advance of the
final  disposition  of such  action  upon  receipt  of an  undertaking  from the
Executive  to  repay  to the  Company  such  advances  if the  Executive  is not
ultimately successful,  in whole or in part, on the merits or otherwise, in such
action.

                  12.   Severance  Pay  upon  Termination  of  Employment  after
Expiration of the Agreement. Notwithstanding the expiration of this Agreement by
its terms and  notwithstanding  the terms of any corporate severance policy then
in effect and applicable to the Executive, if the employment of the Executive is
terminated  without  Cause by the Company,  by the  Executive for Good Reason or
upon the expiration of the term of the office(s) to which the Executive has been
elected or appointed  as set forth in Section 1 hereof (for  reasons  other than
for Cause),  in any case,  within thirty-six (36) months after the expiration of
this  Agreement by its terms,  then (i) the Company  shall pay to the  Executive
severance  compensation  in an amount  equal to two (2)  times  the  Executive's
Covered Compensation as determined on the date of such termination, and (ii) the
Executive  and  the  Executive's   eligible  dependents  shall  be  entitled  to
continuing  coverage  under  the  Company's  then-existing  group  health  plans
(including  medical,  dental,  prescription drug and vision plans, if any) for a
period of two (2) years  after the date of the  termination  of the  Executive's
employment, to the extent not prohibited by law and subject to the terms of such
plans  including  provisions as to  deductibles  and  copayments  and changes in
levels of coverage  that are generally  applicable to employees.  The payment to
the  Executive  by the  Company  pursuant  to  subsection  (i) of the  preceding
sentence  shall  be paid in a lump  sum  unless  the  Executive  elects,  and so
notifies  the  Company  in  writing  prior  to the  Executive's  termination  of
employment,  to receive such payment in two (2) equal annual  installments.  The
lump sum or first payment,  as the case may be, shall be paid within thirty (30)
days after the date of termination of the Executive's employment.

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<PAGE>


                  13. Release. The Executive hereby acknowledges and agrees that
neither the Company nor any of its  representatives  or agents will be obligated
to pay any compensation or benefit which the Executive has a right to be paid or
provided to the Executive or the Executive's  dependents  pursuant to Section 6,
Section 8 or Section 12 of this Agreement, unless the Executive, if requested by
the  Company in its sole  discretion,  executes  a release in a form  reasonably
acceptable to the Company,  which  releases any and all claims the Executive has
or  may  have  against  the  Company  or  its  subsidiaries,  agents,  officers,
directors, successors or assigns.

                  14. Waiver.  The waiver by a party hereto of any breach by the
other party hereto of any  provision of this  Agreement  shall not operate or be
construed as a waiver of any other or subsequent breach by a party hereto.

                  15. Assignment. This Agreement shall be binding upon and inure
to the benefit of the  successors  and assigns of the  Company,  and the Company
shall be obligated to require any successor to expressly  acknowledge and assume
its  obligations  hereunder.  This Agreement  shall inure to the extent provided
hereunder  to the  benefit  of  and  be  enforceable  by  the  Executive  or the
Executive's legal representatives, executors, administrators, successors, heirs,
distributees,  devisees and legatees.  The Executive may not delegate any of the
Executive's duties, responsibilities,  obligations or positions hereunder to any
person  and any such  purported  delegation  shall  be void and of no force  and
effect.

                  16.  Notices.  Any notices  required or  permitted to be given
under this  Agreement  shall be  sufficient  if in  writing,  and if  personally
delivered or when sent by first class  certified  or  registered  mail,  postage
prepaid,  return  receipt  requested--in  the  case  of  the  Executive,  to his
residence  address as set forth below,  and in the case of the  Company,  to the
address of its principal  place of business as set forth below, to the attention
of the  Chairman of the Board,  or in case the  Executive is the Chairman of the
Board, to the Chairman of the Compensation  Committee of the Board -- or to such
other  person or at such other  address with respect to each party as such party
shall notify the other in writing.

                  17.      Construction of Agreement.

                           (a)      Governing  Law. This  Agreement  shall be
                  governed by and  construed  under the laws of the Commonwealth
                  of Pennsylvania.

                           (b)  Severability.  In the event that any one or more
                  of the  provisions  of  this  Agreement  shall  be  held to be
                  invalid, illegal or unenforceable,  the validity,  legality or
                  enforceability  of the remaining  provisions  shall not in any
                  way be affected or impaired thereby.

                           (c) Headings. The descriptive headings of the several
                  paragraphs of this  Agreement are inserted for  convenience of
                  reference  only  and  shall  not  constitute  a part  of  this
                  Agreement.

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<PAGE>


                  18.  Entire  Agreement.  This  Agreement  contains  the entire
agreement of the parties concerning the Executive's employment and all promises,
representations,  understandings,  arrangements  and  prior  agreements  on such
subject  are merged  herein and  superseded  hereby,  including  the  Employment
Agreement effective November 20, 1995 which is expressly  superseded hereby. The
provisions of this  Agreement may not be amended,  modified,  repealed,  waived,
extended or  discharged  except by an agreement  in writing  signed by the party
against  whom  enforcement  of  any  amendment,  modification,  repeal,  waiver,
extension  or  discharge is sought.  No person  acting other than  pursuant to a
resolution  of the Board of Directors or the Committee  shall have  authority on
behalf  of the  Company  to agree to amend,  modify,  repeal,  waive,  extend or
discharge any provision of this Agreement or anything in reference thereto or to
exercise  any of the  Company's  rights to  terminate  or to fail to extend this
Agreement.

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<PAGE>


IN WITNESS WHEREOF,  the Company has caused this Agreement to be executed by its
officers thereunto duly authorized,  and the Executive has hereunto set his hand
all as of the day and year first above written.





ATTEST:                                     ERIE INDEMNITY COMPANY


       /s/ Mark T. Torok                            /s/ F. William Hirt
____________________________             By:__________________________________
         Mark T. Torok                             F. William Hirt
         Assistant Secretary                     Chairman of the Board







WITNESS:


     /s/  Sheila M. Hirsch                  /s/ Jan R. Van Gorder
____________________________      _____________________________________(SEAL)
                                                Jan R. Van Gorder
                                             6796 Manchester Beach Rd.
                                                Fairview, PA  16415



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